Kevin Theophile-Catherine leaves Cardiff City for Saint Etienne

The defender spent last season on loan at the French club and has now made a permanent move to Ligue One.

Signed from Rennes in 2013 for £2.1 million, Theophile-Catherine was an ever present for Cardiff City in their debut Premier League campaign, making 28 appearances, but returned to France following the Bluebirds’ relegation.

The 25-year old has enjoyed his second spell in France becoming a regular for Saint Etienne, featuring 42 times this past season.

It’s a hit on what was paid for him two years ago but represents good value for a player deemed surplus to requirements at the Cardiff City Stadium and the fee will go a long way towards Cardiff’s bid to strengthen before the new campaign.

The Bluebirds have been linked primarily with attacking targets this summer, with Welshman Hal Robson-Kanu chief amongst them, as they seek to add firepower amidst the threat of striker Joe Mason leaving the club.